Obey

by Rachel Smith

Several months ago, I had a dream that I was having a Women’s retreat. In this dream, I saw many women on the floor worshiping the Lord, praying in the Spirit, and being delivered from strongholds. I knew God was leading me to host a retreat like I had the previous year, but little did I know just how difficult obeying God in the middle of a pandemic would be.

Once I announced what God was calling me to do, I had many women signed up and excited, but then COVID-19 began to get worse and the obstacles began to increase. First, I got the call that the retreat center hosting us had decided it was best to not to take overnight accommodations, so I had to quickly book a cabin in the mountains. Then I had a friend make the comment, “If you host this event and someone gets COVID and dies, this could be the end of your ministry.” Wow, those words hit hard! And if that weren’t enough, on Christmas day, I lost my taste and smell and was diagnosed the following day with COVID-19 and flu. During my quarantine, I spent my time in prayer and worship asking God if His mind had changed about the retreat. His answer was no!

Through all the years I have served God and through my most recent experience, I have learned that when God calls you to do something, you have to stand on that word no matter what! Sometimes, your family, your friends, or even other Christians won’t understand it. Sometimes saying yes to God will make others think you’re crazy. But no matter what, you have to listen and obey. God is looking for the ones who are willing to take a risk for Him. He is looking for the ones who are bold and courageous. He is looking for the ones who will say not my will but yours be done, God. Are the choices you’re making today based on what the Lord is saying or on the fear of man? Have you received the revelation that you were created to serve Him and do His will?

The night before the retreat, I woke up around 2:00 a.m., and I heard the words in my spirit, “Here am I.” This is not how I would speak, so I knew it was the Lord. I immediately looked on my phone and read the Scripture that says, “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8). I pray that in this new year and in the years to come, you will let that be your attitude. Don’t talk yourself out of it, and don’t disqualify yourself; just do it!

When it was all said and done, the retreat was a huge success, and everything I saw in my dream came to pass. Not one person from my event got COVID-19, but 39 women had their lives forever changed, five women got baptized, two women quit smoking cigarettes, and the One true God was glorified. I could have said no, I could have let the circumstances, the sickness, and negative comments stop me, but I made the decision to obey, and I have no regrets. I hope you make the same decision, and I promise that your life will never be the same.

About The Author Rachel Smith is the founder of Transformed Wife, a non-profit organization that helps others learn God’s design for marriage. She hosts several events throughout the year to help strengthen marriages and equip women for their calling. She has ministered all over the United States, and is involved in mission’s work overseas. She has been married to her husband Richard Smith for thirteen years and they have three children together. www.transformedwife.com